Trips for Kids Forms New National Organization and Expands Mission

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – April 5, 2017 – Trips for Kids, an organization that provides transformative cycling experiences for children around the world through independently managed community chapters, today announces the formation of Trips for Kids national (TFK), a standalone 501(c)(3) entity focused on supporting the growth and refinement of its existing and future network of TFK chapters.

Previously, those duties were handled by the flagship TFK Marin office. In addition to the new organization, TFK has expanded its mission to include children of all communities, not just the underserved, in helping them build confidence, develop successful life skills, and gain environmental awareness through the simple act of having fun on a bike. The move is part of a strategic planning initiative that began in the fall of 2016 and is aimed at leveraging the organization’s 28-year history of award-winning youth cycling programs, its network of 75-plus chapters operating across three countries and 30 states, and 15,000 dedicated volunteer chapter directors, ride leaders and bicycle mechanic instructors.

A huge fan of cycling and its benefits, Marilyn Price founded TFK in 1988 in Marin County, California after noticing underserved kids in the San Francisco Bay Area didn’t have the opportunity or means to play in and explore the beautiful mountains surrounding them. As word spread of TFK Marin’s success, Price helped communities form TFK affiliated chapters in the United States, Canada, and Israel. In January of this year, the board decided to separate the founding TFK Marin chapter from national efforts, and establish TFK national to focus on program development, chapter support and chapter expansion. To date, TFK chapters have served more than 175,000 youth worldwide. TFK national’s goal is to reach more than half a million kids during the next ten years.

“What started out as a handful of volunteers taking local kids out for trail rides in Marin grew into a national movement,” said Chuck Lesem, TFK board president. “Our vision is that all kids, especially those most in need, have the opportunity to experience the joy of riding a bike and the freedom to explore the natural world on two wheels.” Expanding the scope of TFK’s mission from primarily underserved youth will provide new opportunities for partnerships with parks departments, after school programs and other agency partners and expand potential program participation. This change also creates new opportunities for the development of revenue based programs that will be used to provide scholarships for individuals, families and communities to provide additional support for youth than previously available.

The newly formed TFK national organization will be managed by a separate board of directors and dedicated staff led by an executive director. T. Malouf and Company will be conducting the executive search and can be reached at info@tmalouf.com.Trips for Kids is supported by individual donations and corporate sponsors such as CST Tires, Giant Bicycles, Kali Protectives, Highway2, SRAM, Primal, Raleigh Bikes, ESI Grips, Bike Flights, Adventure Medical Kits and Park Tool. For more information on Trips for Kids’ programs and how to start a chapter go to www.tripsforkids.org.

Founded in 1988 in Marin County, California, Trips for Kids provides transformative cycling experiences that promote healthy active recreational lifestyles, environmental awareness, and personal empowerment for kids of all communities. With more than 75 independent chapters operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, so far 175,000 young people have had the chance to explore the natural world on two wheels through Trips for Kids programs. Trips for Kids is supported by individual donations and corporate sponsors. To learn more, go totripsforkids.org.